
angrily reproached his brother, and attempted to draw him into controversy
concerning God's dealings with them. In meekness, yet fearlessly and firmly,
Abel defended the justice and goodness of God. He pointed out Cain's error,
and tried to convince him that the wrong was in himself. . . . All this caused
Cain's anger to burn the hotter. Reason and conscience told him that Abel
was in the right; but he was enraged that one who had been wont to heed his
counsel should' now presume to disagree with him, and that he could gain
no sympathy in his rebellion. In the fury of his passion, he slew his brother."
—Patriarchs and Prophets,
page 74.
7.
Although Abel has long been dead, what is said of him? Heb.
11:4, last part.
NOTE.—This is in harmony with the statement in Revelation 14:13, which,
though applicable to a specific time, contains a universal principle.
8.
What short record of Enoch is recorded in the Bible? Gen.
5:21-24.
NOTE.—"Of Enoch it is written that he lived sixty-five years and begat a
son; after that he walked with God three hundred years. During those earlier
years, Enoch had loved and feared God, and had kept His commandments.
But after the birth of his first son, he reached a higher experience; he was
drawn into closer relationship with God. As he saw the child's love for its
father, its simple trust in his protection; as he felt the deep, yearning tender-
ness of his own heart for that first-born son, he learned a precious lesson of
the wonderful love of God to man in the gift of His Son, and the confidence
which the children of God may repose in their heavenly Father. The infinite,
unfathomable love of God through Christ became the subject of his medita-
tions day and night. With all the fervor of his soul he sought to reveal that
love to the people among whom he dwelt.
"Enoch's walk with God was not in a trance or a vision, but in all the duties
of his daily life. He did not become a hermit, shutting himself entirely from
the world; for he had, in the world, a work to do for God. In the family and
in his intercourse with men, as a husband and father, a friend, a citizen, he
was the steadfast, unwavering servant of
God."—Testimonies,
vol. 8, pp.
329, 330.
9.
How was Enoch's passing from the earth different from that
of most other men? Heb. 11:5, first part.
NOTE.—"For three hundred years, Enoch had been seeking purity of soul,
that he might be in harmony with Heaven. For three centuries he had walked
with God. Day by day he had longed for a closer union; nearer and nearer
had grown the communion, until God took him to Himself. He had stood at
the threshold of the eternal world, only a step between him and the land of
the blest; and now the portals opened, the walk with God; so long pursued on
earth, continued, and he passed through the gates of the Holy City,—the first
from among men to enter
there."—Patriarchs and Prophets,
page 87.
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